Machine for capping bottles.



PATENTED MAR. s, 1907.

G. KIRKEGAARD. MACHINE FOR GAPPING BOTTLES.

APPLICATION FILED D130. 21. 1905.

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wmuunfl r. 5 L a MW W T T Mk n PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

G. KIRKEGAARD. MACHINE FOR GAPPING BOTTLES.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 21. 1905.

. GEORG KIRKEGAARD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MACHINE FOR CAPPING BOTTLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented march 5,1907.

Application filed December 21. 1905. Serial No. 292,693.

To IL whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORG KIRKEGAARD, a

citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New ,York, in the borough of Brooklyn and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Capping Bottles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a machine for applying caps or seals to bottles, and pertains particularly to the application of bottlestoppcrs oi the character described in my Patent No. 796,734.

'Ihe'principal object of the invention is to provide a machine in which the entire operation of pressing the cap upon the bottle and turning the clamping-ring into locking engagement is properly and automatically performed, regardless of the irregularities in the or any irregularities in the manufacture of the cap.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of simple, strong, and efl'rcient character which is adapted to the needs of ordinary bottling works and which may be rapidly operated without any difficulty or skilled manipulation.

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter set forth and shown, and finally particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

, Reference is also made to my companion divisional applications, Serial No. 293,27 7 filed December 26, 1905, and Serial No. 294,064, filed January 2, 1906.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side View, partly in section, of a complete machine embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail sectionalview of what I shall term the main operating-spindle. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view showing the cap-applying head: Fig. 5 is a section on the line V V of Fig. 4 looking downward. Fig. 6 is a section on the line VI VI also looking downward. Fig. .7 is a sectional View taken generally on the line VII VII of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a detail vertical sectional view of the cap-applying head. Fig. 9 is a sectional View on the line IX IX of Fig. 3. Fig. 10 shows a detail bottom view of the bottle rest or support. Fig. 11 is a detail View of a modification. Fig. 12 is a bottom view of a cap which is applicable for use with the present invention.

The form of cap which is particularly adapted to use with this invention embodies a circular plate with a lining of cork or packing-disk on its bottom face and having circumferential depending fingers which are forced into engagement n ith the usual bead or protuberance u on a bottle by a clamping ring. 'A form of c amping-ring which I have found satisfactory in practical use is illustrated particularly in I igs. 7, 8, and 12 of the drawings.

The cap is denoted by the reference character a and has three resilient depending fingers b equally spaced around-its circumference. The interior of the cap has a lining c, of cork or analogous packing substance, so as to make a tight engagement with the top of a bottle when pressed thereon. The clamping-ring (Z has a milled circumferential edge a and interior cam edges 2, which correspond in number to the depending fingers b and are arranged to bear thereagainst, as shown particularly in Fig. 12. This ring is held in proper relation on the fingers by means of ips g on the cap cooperating with the lower edges of the fingers b, which are slightly flared outward for this purpose. It is evident that the various fingers I) will be cammed inward when the locking part (I is turned with relation to the cap a. While-the present invention is especially adapted for this form of cap, it is not strictly limited to such use, being ap licable to a wide variety of caps besides t 1e forms'mentioned.

In carrying out my invention I make use of a vertically-moving cap-ap lying head, beneath which the already-til ed bottle is placed and which descends so as to completely apply the cap. In practice the operator places caps within the head with one hand at the same time he positions the bottle on its rest or support with the other. The machine works continuously at'a rate suitable to the hand-manipulations required, so that caps are applied to the filled bottles very rapidly.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like parts are designated by the same reference-signs, denotes the main frame or casing of the machine, having power-shaft 11, wi ththe usual pulley 12. The frame or casing 10 is made with an upright hollow standard 13, in which is guided'a vertically-moving rod 14, projecting from the top thereof.

designates a pitman connection from the lower end of the rod 14 to a crank 16 on the main power-shaft.

.17 denote brackets upon the standard 13, in which is guided the main operating-spindle 18. The main operating-spindle is conveniently connected to the vertically-reciprocating rod 14 by a cross-bar 19. While I have shownthis particular arrangement for obtaining vertica reciprocating motion of the main operating-spindle 18, I do not desire 'to be limited or restricted thereto, since it is evident that the main operating-spindle may be reci rocated in any convenient way.

The ower end of the main operating-spin-.

dle 18 carries the cap-applying head 20, the details of which will be later more particularly described. The bottle or receptacle to be sealed is placed beneath the cap-applying head and in axial alinement therewith, as shown at 21, being conveniently supported ona pad or mat 22 and being grasped by guiding-fingers 23 for this urpose.

24 indicates a bracket or su porting the pad 22, so as to permit a vertica adjustment thereof to accord the machine to bottles of every size. I

The main frame or standard 13 has an ex tension 13*, in which a threaded stud 24 of the bracket 24 is received and adjusted by a nut 26.

A practical form of guiding or positioning fingers 23 for holding the neck of the bottle is illustrated in Fig. 5 and comprises a V-shaped part 27, secured to a fixture 29 on the bracket 24 and having pads 28 in a position where they will contact with the bottle-neck. 23 indicates spring-fingers curved so as to permit the ready insertion of the bottle, but having sufficient resiliency to close upon and hold the same in engagement with the pads 28 when the cap, is applied. Bymeans of the guiding-fingers 23 and the base-pad 22 the bottles may be readily positioned into a predetermined relation in axial alinement with the .main operating-spindle 18 and its capapplying head. The fixture 29 is adjustable on the bracket 24 by means of bolts in the bracket and passed through a slot. 25 in the fixture 29.

Referring now more'particularly to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the main 0 crating-spindle 18 is hollow throughout t e major portion of its length and contains an independently-movable core 30, which directly carries the cap-applying head, as shown in Fig. 1. The core or shaft 30 is revoluble within the main operating-spindle 18 by virtue of the antifrictional roller engagement 31, which also permits a vertical axial movement of the core within the spindle. The upper end of the core or shaft 30 has a thrust connection 32 with a sliding block 33, spring-pressed downward by tensio n -spring;34 within the main operating-spindle. adjustable attachment for this spring varied by manipulating the screw 36 and lock-nut 37. By this mechanism the core or shaft 30 is capable of revolving and of moving axially within the main operating-spindle, its axial movement being resisted by a spring, the tension of which can be adjusted. I provide means for'controlling the rotary and-axial movements of the core or shaft 30 within the designates an r main operating-spindle comprising cam-.

motion.

41 indicates a stud; upon the core or shaft 30 which engages the cam-groove 38, so that the core or spindle is moved by the camgroove when it is forced inward against the tension-spring 34. v

The cap-applying head 20, previously referred to, is attached to the lower end of the core or shaft 30. The cap-applying head comprises an exterior housing 42, which rotates with the core or shaft 30, but which has a non-positive rotative engagement therewith, so as to permit slippage under certain circumstances. For this purpose the housing is held between a collar 43 on the core or shaft and an adjustment clamp-nut 44, an intermediate spring. crown 45 being interposed to give a considerable amount of friction. By this engagement the housing 42 is caused to ordinarily rotate with the shaft or core 30, but in case of unusual resistance the spring crown 45 becomes ineffective to transmit further rotation, so that thereafter the parts slip with relation to one another.

The nut 44 may be adjusted upon the crown 45, so as to produce just enough friction to secure the locking engagement of the ca upon the bottle, as will be later described. VViien the adjustment is satisfactory the locking-bolt 44 is tightened so as to preserve the adjustment secured. The lower end of the core or shaft 30 has 'a 'swivel bearing-plate 46 thereon, the lower part of which is cupped, as shown at 47. 48 designates the central supporting stud or screw, and 49 indicates an ordinary ballbearing raceway cooperating therewith, by which the bearing-plate is supported in freely-rotatable relation. L j

The housing 42 is made with a wide opening 5( on its lower face and has a number of swinging pawls 51, disposed around its circumference on vertical axes 52. 53 (see Fig. 7) designate ordinary leaf-springs, which fication in which friction-pawls or cam- Wedges 56 are substituted for the pawls 51.

These would be used in place of the usual cap mere y pawls 51 incase the outer edge of the clampmg-ring were smooth. l 1 The operation is as follows: The operator, he i1:lrg; provided with a supply of caps and a a tity of filled bottles to be sealed, inserts f into the cap-applying head 20 by pushing it upward therein until it abuts against the swivel bearing-plate 46. In this action the 'edges'of the cap will ride against the flaring or beveled edge 54 of the .pawls 51 until the edges eventually fall into the notches 55. The spring-pressure of the pawls is effective to maintain the caps in this relation within the cap-applying head," the milled edges of the clamping-ring of the cap being engaged by the pawls, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7. The operator now laces a filled bottle upon the pad 22," its neck being '.guided by the guiding-fingers 23, it being in this way axially alined with the-cap located in the cap-applying head, as above described. The mainoperating-shaft 18, by virtue of-the continuous movement of the driving-pulley- 12 or any clutch mechanism, now descends,

until the cap rests upon the top of the bottle, as indicated in Fig. 4. The main operatingspindle 18 continues to descend, however,

and in its further movement the core or shaft 30 is pushed inward with respect thereto against the tension of the spring 34. Dur--' iI-ig the initial'part of this movement the core merely recedes within the main operating spindle without any circumferential movement, the stud 41 being guided by .the rectilinear groove 38'. During this time a con tinuous and increasing pressure is applied to the cap to force the same against the bottleneck on account of'the inc'ieasingcompres sion of thespring 34. After a certain move:

' ment the'pre'ssure becomessufficiently great engagement withjthe bottle-neck,'-t he stud 41 to compress the usual cork or packing material within the cap into proper and sealing having by this time arrived at the top of the rectilinear grooves 39. Further descent of the main operatingspindle therefore causes the studs 41 toride upon the inclined grooves 40, so that the stud and core or shaft 30 are positively rotated through a portion of a revolution. On account of the swivel support of the bearing-plate 46 this rotary movement is not transmitted to the ca which remain stationary in compressed re ation upon the bottle; but the rotation is transmitted through the spring crown or friction-disk 45 to the housing 42, which rotates, with its connected pawls 51, in engagement with the milled edge of the clamping-ring of the bottlecap. In this way the clamping-ring is turned, its cam edges forcing the usual clamping-fingers of the cap into locking engage ment with the bottle. If now the main 0perating-shaft- 18 has a return or upward,

movement, the housing 42 will rotate in the reverse direction; 'but in this case the pawls.

51 will slip idly over the milled edges of the clamping-ring on the cap, so that the latter will not be disengaged. The main operatingshaft finally moves upward sufficiently to release the properly capped and sealed receptacle, which is thereupon placed by the attendant in the boxes for shipping and delivery.

What I claim is 1. In a machine for supplying bottles with caps provided with an independently-mov able locking-ring, means for holding the cap against turning movement on the bottle, and means for'turning the ring, for locking the cap in place. g

2. In a machine for-supplying bottles with caps provided with a locking-ring, means for pressing the cap down upon, and holding it in close contact with, the neck of the bottle, and means for actuating said ring, independerlitly of ---the cap, for locking the latter in p ace.

3. In a machine for capping bottles, a cap- 'applying head having means for receiving a cap with-a clamping-ring, and means whereby the cap is pressed on the bottle and'the clamping-ring subsequently turned.

4. In a machine for capping bottles, a capapplying head having means for receiving a caphaving a clamping-ring, means whereby the same is initially compressed upon the bottle, and means whereby the clamping-ring is subsequently rotarily engaged so as to be locked thereon.

5. In a machine for capping bottles, a capapplying' head adapted to receive and hold a cap havmg alocking part thereon, and means whereby said locking part is moved relatively to the cap to clamp the latter in place upon a bottle-neck.

6. In a machine for capping-bottles, a capapplying head adapted to grasp and hold a cap havmg a locking part by its engagement with such locking part', and means whereby saidhead is rotated to clamp said cap upon a bottle.

' 7 J a machine for capping bottles, a capapplying head adapted to receive and hold a cap and having an independently-revoluble housing, and means whereby the cap is first I depressed upon a bottle, and subsequently 'mg a lockin locked thereon by nonpositive rotary movement of the housing:

8. In a machine for capping bottles, a cap-- applying head adapted to receive and hold a cap having a clamping ring, and means 'whereby it is initially depressed and the clamping-ring subsequently rotated to clamp and lock the cap upon abottle.

9. .In a machine for capping bottles, a cap applying head adapted to receive a caphavpart, means in said head. for grasping said tion to the cap and simultaneously pressing saidcap upon a bottle.

10. In a machine for capping bottles, a capapplying head adapted to receive a cap having a locking part, means for pressing said cap upon a bottle, and means for turning said locking part relatively to the cap.

11. In a machine for capping bottles, a capapplying head having means for engaging two separate parts of'a cap, and imparting a relative movement thereto so as to lock the cap u on a-bottle.

12'. n a machine for capping bottles, a capapplying head having means for engagin two relatively movable parts of the cap, an

' imparting a relative movement thereto so as to lock the same upon a bottle.

13. In a machine for capping bottles, a capapplying head having means for engaging t e cap and the usual clamping-ring thereof, and imparting a relative movement thereto. I p

14. In a machine for capping bottles, a ca -1 applying head having means for enga ing t e cap and forcing it upon a bottle, an means .for engaging the clamping-ring and applying 4 ti'c'ally-movable main operating-spindle hav-' afinal rotary movement thereto 15. In a machine for capping bottles, a vering a cap-applying head at its lower end, means for receiving a bottle in alinement with said spindle, and means whereby a cap having a clamping-ring is initially pressed and the ring subsequently locked upon the bottle.

16. In a machine for capping bottles, a

vertically-reciprocating main operating-spindle, a shaft guided therein and normally spring-pressed downward a cap applying head secured to said shaftjand means where-- by the reciprocations of said main operatingspindle initially press the cap-applying head upon a bottle and subsequently rotate it.

17 In a machine .for capping bottles, a re part and turning it with relaciprocating main operating-spindle, and a shaft having a cap-applying head guided to move initially rectilinearly and subsequently rotarily within said main operating-spindle. 18. In a machine'for capping bottles, a re ciprocating main operating-spindle having an axially-movable core spring-pressed outward therefrom and carrying a cap-applying head, and means whereby the core is first pressed inward and subsequently turnedquent circumferential movement, and-carrying a cap-applying head, whereby the'head is initially pressed and subsequently turned in applying a cap upon a bottle.

20. In a machine for capping bottles, a reciprocating ma n operating-spindle having a shaft spring-pressed outward therefrom and carrying a capapplying head, and cam' means for imparting an initial pressing and subsequent rotary movement to said cap-applying head.

' 21. In a machinefor capping bottles, a hollowg reciprocating spindle having a' camgroove in it's wall, and a shaft spring-pressed outward from said spindle and carrying a cap-applying head, and engaged by said camgroove whereby it. has an initial pressing and subsequent rotary movement.

' 22. In a machine for capping bottles, a reciprocating hollow spindle having a camgroove in its wall, a shaft having a cap-applying head spring-pressed outward from said, spindle and guided by said cam-groove, and an antifriction-bearing at the end of said shaftto permit revoluble movement.

23. In a machine for capping bottles, a reciprocating spindle having acam groove and a cap-applying head-guided by said spindle and groove to have an initial pressing and subsequent rotary movement.

24. In a machine for capping bottles, a reciprocating spindle having a shaft springressed outward therefrom, and a-cap-applymg headon said shaft and having afriction ally-engaged independently-revoluble hous-' mg.

. 25. In a machine for capping bottles, a ciprocating spindle havinga cam-groove, a cap-applying head guided by said groove to have an initial pressing and subsequent rotary movement, and a pawl-carrying housing adapted to have a rotary movement frictionally imparted to it.

26. In a machine for capping bottles, a reciprocating spindle having a spring-pressed shaft carrying a cap-applying head, said capapplying head having a central swivel bear-- mg-platc, and an outside housing adapted to be frictionally rotated thereby.

2 7. In a-machine for cap ing bottles, a vertically-reci rocatingspind e having a capapplying h-ea in spring-pressed engagement therewith, said cap-applying head' having a housing frictionally eng'aged thereto, whereby rotary movements of the cap-applying head are non-positively imparted to said i In witnees whereof I subscribe my signahousing. t

hm \b l I ure in the presence of two Witnesses.

28. lnamac efor capping ott es acapapplying headhaving a revoluble Housing GEORG KIRKEGAARD' 5 arrange to frictionally rotate therewith, an I Witnesses:

means for adjusting the degree of the fric- FRANK S. OBER, tional engagement. WALDO M. CHAPIN. 

